Adjustable storage rack for pots, pans and lids

ABSTRACT

A storage rack for storing pots, pans, skillets and lids comprising an adjustable storage rack constructed with a stand and a base member mounted to the stand. A plurality of wire members are mounted on clamp members whcih are mounted on rails secured to the base member. The clamp member can be slidably positioned on the rails prior to the securing of them in a fixed position on the rails and extending upward from the base member. The plurality of wire members including “U” shaped wire members and offset “U” shaped wire members with a plurality of rods secured to the offset portion. The wire members have sleeve assemblies forming the upright supports, the sleeve assemblies providing height adjustmnet of the wire member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/156,657 filed Mar. 6, 2002.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a storage rack and more specifically is directed toward an adjustable storage rack with horizontally and vertically moveable upright wire members for holding cooking pots, pans, skillets and their respective lids.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART

[0003] Most cooks have accumulated a collection of covered cookware that range over many sizes of pots and pans and containers with lids. Even those householders who do not consider themselves as real cooks have an assortment of covered containers in which to cook food both on top of a stove and in an oven. Thus almost all kitchens contain significant numbers of pots, pans and other cooking containers and lids for same. The cooking containers and their respective lids must be stored when they are not in use and this problem, may be compounded by the lack of storage space in many kitchens.

[0004] Where and how these cooking containers are stored may vary substantially from kitchen to kitchen. In some instances, pots and cooking containers are stacked in a nested fashion with the largest diameter pot on the bottom and successively smaller pots on top. While this might be a relatively efficient way to store pots, pans and other cooking vessels such as casseroles, the lids and covers usually cannot be stored effectively in a nested stack. Most kitchens which use this nesting stack storage method for pots also have a disorganized pile of lids and covers. The cook then must rummage through the pile to locate the correct lid for the container he or she wants to use and move stacks of containers. In a home kitchen this exercise is very frustrating and can be quite chaotic when people and children gather in the kitchen during cooking of the meal.

[0005] Some cooks simply cover their pots and pans with the lids and store them side-by-side, on cabinet shelves. Although this method allows the cook to locate the correct lid quickly, it requires significantly more storage space than stacking or nesting the containers. Many home kitchens simply do not have the storage space to store the numbers of cooking containers required by large families or serious cooks.

[0006] A storage rack is useful for holding pots, pans, skillets and lids for same. In the prior art, shaped wire stands have been used to elevate an appliance or cooking container or to provide open storage for related use utensils, splatter screens and similar items.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 2,516,088 issued Jul. 18, 1950 is directed toward a folding dish drying rack formed from round wire stock which has a protective coating of rubber or synthetic resin. A plurality of elements are pivotally supported between an adjacent pair of longitudinal rods. Each element is mounted with a crank portion positioned outwardly and a lug portion positioned inwardly for attachment to and manipulation by a push bar. The push bar is slidably mounted in slots formed in a pair of mounting plates secured to the ends of a base.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,284 issued Aug. 26, 1997 is directed toward a storage rack for holding and storing cooking container lids and like shaped objects. The rack has a base with a pair of feet allowing it to be placed in a vertical or horizontal position. A plurality of adjustable crosspieces forming rests or steps are positioned at desired locations along the edges of the bracket members to hold the container lids at a storage angle.

[0009] Other commonly used types of stands are a wire rack with legs and supports such as that shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,190,065, 2, 891,676, 3,013,670, 3,164,108, 4,592,471, 4,756,582 and 4,943,029.

[0010] The prior art, therefore, has failed to provide a storage rack or holder for cooking containers and their lids and covers that may be easily assembled by the purchaser or by a consumer, that may be positioned in convenient orientations both horizontally and vertically and which can be easily adjusted as needed to hold and store a number of containers and lids of varying and different dimensions. Consequently, there is a need for such a rack in the home kitchen to allow storage areas to be organized effectively and efficiently to reduce clutter and provide the time savings which result when storage spaces are organized.

[0011] Accordingly, the novel storage rack has been developed to hold pots, pans, skillets and lids which resolves the problems of counter and cabinet space, cluttered storage, mislaid lids, matching lids to containers, allowing containers and lids to be consolidated and hidden from sight in a cabinet or enclosed area, as well as being easily cleaned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is directed toward an adjustable plastic coated wire storage rack comprising a stand, a base member mounted to the stand and a plurality of horizontally moveable wire members mounted on tubular rails secured to the base member and extending upward from the tubular rails. The plurality of wire members include “U” shaped wire members of varying heights and offset “U” shaped wire members of varying heights having a plurality of upright angled rods secured to the offset portion of the offset “U” shaped wire members. The wire members have parallel side post provided with a threaded portion and a sleeve assembly which is rotatable on the threaded portion. An upper cross bar and a lower cross bar are secured or mounted to the post assemblies and the posts have parallel legs oriented transverse to the axis of said side posts. The legs are mounted in a tubular support assembly which can be secured to a rail secured to the base member. A handle is mounted to one end of the base member.

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage rack for cooking containers and their covers and lids which can be custom assembled by the purchaser or consumer to accommodate a specific collection of cooking containers and lids without the need of tools, fasteners or adhesives.

[0014] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide for a storage rack which can have individual members horizontally adjusted and vertically adjusted.

[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable storage rack for cooking containers and lids that can be sized to hold all of the containers and/or lids for a selected set or brand of cookware.

[0016] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a storage rack which can be easily assembled with a minimum of instructions and general lack of mechanical skill by the consumer.

[0017] It is yet another object of the invention to provide the user with storage rack for storage of cooking utensils allowing for easy access of same for use as well as reducing the amount of counter space and cabinet space needed for such storage.

[0018] It is a further object of the invention to provide an adjustable storage rack which may be easily and inexpensively fabricated from round wire stock or other suitable materials having strength and durability.

[0019] In the accompanying drawings, there is shown illustrative embodiments of the invention from which these and other objectives, novel features and advantages will be readily apparent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable storage rack for pots, pans and lids;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the storage rack of FIG. 1;

[0022]FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the storage rack of FIG. 1;

[0023]FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the storage rack of FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the storage rack shown in FIG. 1; and

[0025]FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the storage rack shown in FIG. 1;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The cooking container and lid storage rack of the present invention is ideally suited for use in the home as it provides a compact storage rack for containers and their respective lids and covers that allows easy access to the same. The capability to vary the height of the wire support members and the distance between same allows the consumer to customize the rack as needed to hold a varied assortment of containers and lids. The preferred embodiment of the storage rack of the present invention is designed to be assembled by the user and is fully adjustable to hold a number of cooking containers and their respective lids of different heights and diameters at an optimum storage angle.

[0027] The preferred embodiment and best mode of the adjustable storage rack invention is shown in FIGS. 1-6. The adjustable pot, pan and lid storage rack assembly 10 is constructed with a stand 12 having a substantially rectangular planar base 13 with upturned flanges forming “C” shaped integral sides 16. The sides define a plurality of holes 17 cut through the back portion of the C. The holes 17 are aligned with the holes cut in the base 14 so that the stand 12 and base 14 can be secured together as will be later described. A curved “T” shaped handle 18 with a rectangular base portion 20 is secured in a notched portion or step 15 cut in base 14. The handle 18 has a stem portion 22 which is curved or angled away from the base portion 20 and has curved side walls 24 which terminate in a rectangular knob or head 26.

[0028] The base 14 is constructed with a rectangular support member 28 having side flanges or rails 29 which are turned downward to form a configuration which fits within the interior chamber 19 of side walls 30 of stand 12. The side walls 30 are positioned on opposite sides of the base 14 allowing the base rails 29 to be positioned within the chamber 19 formed by the side walls 30. The base 14 is secured to the stand sides 16 by appropriate fasteners such as screws, threaded members, bolts or rivets 117 which are inserted into holes 17 through aligned holes (not shown) in the side walls 30. Two parallel support rails 32 which are substantially tubular in construction or have at least a semicircular upper surface are secured to the top surface 31 of the base rectangular support member 28 by welding or other suitable means such as securing the same to a guide lip on the top of the surface 31. The support rails 32 are adapted to receive and hold clamping assemblies 34 which in turn secure and hold the legs of the wire support members. The support rails 32 as noted have a circular cross section although a rectangular cross section or angular cross sections could be used. As noted, a plurality of spring steel clamp assemblies 34 are mounted on the support rails 32. Clamp assembly 34 is constructed with a small tube section 36 with an open slit bottom leading to an intermediate section 37 which in turn widens to form a larger open sided diameter tube 38 formed of opposing arcuate wall portions 39. The tube section 36 has a diameter which will receive the legs of the wire support members and has bottom open wall ends which lead into integrally formed spaced planar walls 37 forming an intermediate section. The walls 37 in turn at their lower extremeties form spaced apart arcuate spaced portions 39 which are outwardly biased away from each other forming a partial tube or sectioned “C” portion of a larger diameter. The spaced arcuate section or tube 38 fits around an exterior surface portion of the support rail 32 allowing the clamp member 34 to be slid along the support rail 32. The intermediate walls 37 define a plurality of aligned throughgoing holes 40 through which a threaded fastener 42 such a nut 44 and bolt 46 are inserted. When the nut 44 is tightened the intermediate walls 37 are forced together against the spring bias of the spring steel causing the arcuate or semicircular portions 39 to abut and engage against the exterior surface of the rail 32 holding the clamp assembly 34 securely against the rail 32 and securing the leg of the wire support member in the tube section 36.

[0029] A plurality of “U” shaped wire support members 50 are mounted in the clamps 34 in the rear section of the base 14 with the legs 58 of the wire support members being mounted in the respective tube aperture of tube section 36 of the clamp assembly 34. Each of wire support members is constructed with two parallel side posts 52, an upper cross member 54 connecting the upper ends of the side posts 52 and a lower cross support member 56 connecting the lower ends of the side posts 52 above the legs with the legs 58 extending transversely outward from the axis of each side post 52 so that the same can be inserted into the tube section 36 of the clamp assembly 34.

[0030] One or more taller height adjustable “U” shaped wire support members 60 is mounted in the middle section of the base 14. The wire support member 60 is constructed with two threaded parallel post assemblies 62 having a threaded portion 63 and a sleeve member 64 with a freely rotatable threaded nut 65 mounted on the threaded portion 63. An upper cross bar 66 is provided with traverse or downwardly extending feet 68 which are mounted in the distal end of tubular sleeve 64 to stabilize the same. The rotatable nut 65 is threaded over the threaded portion 63 of the side post assembly 62 allowing the sleeve member 64 to be raised or lowered along the threaded portion. The upper cross bar feet 68 can be friction fit in the distal ends of the tubular sleeve 64 or can be threaded at 69 so that an internally threaded sleeve can be screwed along the threaded portion 69 of the upper cross bar foot 68 to raise or lower the upper cross bar 66. A lower support cross bar 70 connects the lower ends of the side post assemblies 62 below the threaded portion 63 where the legs 72 extend transversely outward from the axis of each side post assembly 62 to fit into the clamp assemblies.

[0031] A plurality of staggered height offset wire support members 80, 120 and 130 are mounted on the proximal or front section of the base 14 in clamping assemblies 34 as previously noted. The wire support member 80 as well as wire support members 120 and 130 are constructed with two threaded parallel side post assemblies 82, each of which has a threaded portion 83 and a tubular sleeve assembly 90. A lower cross support member 84 connects the lower ends of the side post assemblies 82 below the threaded portion 83 adjacent to the area where the legs 86 extend transversely outward from the axis of each side post assembly 82. The tubular sleeve assembly 90 comprises a tubular sleeve 92 and freely rotatable nut 94 mounted thereon. Each wire support member offset portion 96, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, is constructed with two parallel arms 98 with downwardly extending feet 99 which are mounted in the top of the tubular sleeve 92. The nut 94 of tubular sleeve 92 is threaded over the threaded portion 83 of the side post assembly 82 allowing the sleeve 92 to be raised or lowered along the threaded portion. The extending feet 99 of the offset position can also be friction fit in the distal ends of the tubular sleeve 92 or can be threaded as shown in FIG. 1, so that an internally threaded tubular sleeve 92 can be screwed along the threaded portion to raise or lower the respective offset portion 96. Each offset portion has a “U” shaped configuration with a cross bar support 102. The cross bar support 102 connects the parallel arms 98 and has two angled offset upright rods 108 mounted to the cross bar 102 a distance inside the parallel axes of the arms 98 and two angled offset upright rods 10 mounted to the support arms 98 outside of the upright rods 108 mounted on cross bar 102. Each of the angled offset upright rods 108,110 is formed with a blunt or rounded end 112 to preclude scratching of the cooking container and lids. In addition, each wire member, excepting the threaded areas, is preferably coated with a rubber, a rubberized material or plastic coating such as PVC to prevent scratching of the cooking utensils and to protect the wires against rust.

[0032] The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular embodiments which have been described above. Instead, the embodiments described here should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from the scope of the present inventions defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable storage rack comprising a base assembly and a plurality of wire members mounted on said base assembly for selective positioning in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of said base assembly, a plurality of said wire members being provided with means to allow adjustment of the height of said wire members.
 2. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein a handle is mounted to said base assembly, said handle being substantially “T” shaped.
 3. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of wire members include wire members with an offset “U” shaped portion with a plurality of rods secured to said offset portion, said rods extending upward and away from said offset portion.
 4. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 3 wherein said rods are positioned on legs of said “U” shaped portion and a cross piece connecting said legs.
 5. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 3 wherein said rods are angled in at least two areas.
 6. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of wire members comprises a pair of “L” shaped legs with at least one portion of each leg being threaded, a sleeve assembly mounted to said threaded portion and a cross member mounted in each of said sleeve assembly.
 7. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wire members are coated with plastic.
 8. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base assembly comprises a base support member with an upper planar surface and inwardly turned sides and at least one rail secured to said base member upper planar surface.
 9. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 8 wherein said at least one rail is tubular.
 10. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 8 including a plurality of clamp assemblies mounted on said rail.
 11. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 10 wherein each of said clamp assemblies comprise two interconnected tubelike structures defining at least one side slot running the length of the tube.
 12. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 11 wherein said tubelike structures are of different diameters with the smaller tubelike structure being of sufficient diameter to receive a leg of said wire member and the large tubelike structure being of sufficient diameter to engage an outer surface of said rail.
 13. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 11 wherein said interconnection is a pair of spaced walls defining aligned holes to receive fastener members.
 14. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 10 wherein each of said clamp assemblies comprise an upper tubular member with spring biased arcuate legs secured to said tubular member.
 15. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 10 wherein each of said clamp assemblies are constructed of an arcuate structure having two end portions which are naturally biased away from each other and are brought towards each other by fasteners.
 16. An adjustable storage rack comprising a stand and a base assembly mounted to said stand, said base assembly comprising a base member with a planar upper surface and sides with supports, a plurality of rail members mounted on said planar upper surface, a plurality of wire member assemblies are mounted to said rail members which can be selectively moved along said rail members, said wire members extending upward from said rail member, at least one of said wire member assemblies comprising a pair of “L” shaped legs with at least one portion of each leg being threaded, a sleeve assembly mounted to said threaded portion and a cross member mounted in each of said sleeve assembly.
 17. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 16 wherein said base assembly said base assembly comprises a base support member with an upper planar surface and inwardly turned sides and at least one rail secured to said base member upper planar surface.
 18. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 16 wherein said wire member assembly includes a base clamps which can be secured to said rail members.
 19. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 16 wherein each of said clamp assemblies comprise an upper tubular member and spring biased arcuate legs secured to said tubular member.
 20. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 16 wherein each of said clamp assemblies are constructed of an arcuate structure having two end portions which are naturally biased away from each other and are brought towards each other by fasteners.
 21. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 16 wherein said stand comprises a planar base and upturned sides with a planar portion transverse to a plane of said planar base, said upturned sides having throughgoing holes therein which are aligned with the holes defined by the sides of said rail members.
 22. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 16 wherein said base assembly side supports are seated in channels formed by the sides of a stand.
 23. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 16 including a handle mounted to said base assembly, said handle comprising a base portion secured to said base assembly and a “T” shaped portion extending upward and away from said base portion, said “T” shaped portion comprising a stem with curved sides terminating in a distal knob member.
 24. An adjustable storage rack comprising a base assembly and a plurality of wire members mounted on said base assembly for selective positioning in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of said base assembly, said wire members being provided with means to allow adjustment of the height of said wire members.
 25. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 24 wherein said means to allow adjustment of the height of said wire members comprises a sleeve assembly with a hollow tube and a freely rotatable nut mounted on one end.
 26. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 25 wherein said hollow tube is internally threaded.
 27. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 25 wherein said hollow tube has a smooth inner bore.
 28. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 24 wherein each wire member has two “L” shaped legs and a lower support cross arm secured at the midpoint of each “L” shaped leg.
 29. An adjustable storage rack comprising a stand, a base member mounted to said stand and a plurality of parallel rails mounted to said base member, a plurality of selectively moveable clamp assemblies mounted to said rails, a plurality of wire members mounted to said clamp assemblies, said wire members being provided with height adjustment means with at least one of said plurality of wire members including an offset “U” shaped wire portion.
 30. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 29 wherein said storage rack has a handle mounted thereto, said handle comprising a base portion secured to said base assembly and a “T” shaped portion extending upward and away from said base portion, said “T” shaped portion comprising a stem with curved sides terminating in a distal knob member.
 31. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 29 wherein said offset “U” shaped wire portion has a plurality of upright rods secured to same.
 32. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 31 wherein said rods are formed with at least one angled portion.
 33. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 31 wherein said rods have a rounded end.
 34. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 29 wherein said wire members are coated with plastic.
 35. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 34 wherein said plastic material is polyvinylchloride
 36. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 29 wherein at least one wire member comprises a pair of legs with at least one section of each leg being threaded, a sleeve assembly mounted to a threaded portion of said leg and a cross member mounted in spaced sleeve assemblies.
 37. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 36 wherein said legs are “L” shaped.
 38. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 36 wherein said sleeve assemblies comprises a hollow tube with a freely rotatable threaded nut mounted on one end.
 39. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 38 wherein said hollow tube has an internal diameter greater than the diameter of a threaded portion of said legs.
 40. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 38 wherein said hollow tube is internally threaded.
 41. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 38 wherein said hollow tube has a smooth inner bore.
 42. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 37 wherein each wire member has a lower support cross arm secured at the midpoint of each “L” shaped leg.
 43. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 29 wherein said wire members are coated with plastic.
 44. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 29 wherein said base member comprises a base support member with an upper planar surface and inwardly turned sides and at least one rail secured to said base member upper planar surface.
 45. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 29 wherein said rails are tubular with a substantially circular cross section.
 46. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 29 wherein each clamp assembly defines a bore of sufficient diameter to hold a wire member.
 47. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 29 wherein said clamp assemblies comprise two interconnected tubes with at least one side slot running the length of the tube.
 48. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 47 wherein said tubes are of different diameters with the smaller tube being of sufficient diameter to receive a leg of said wire member and the largest tube being of sufficient diameter to engage an outer surface of said rail.
 49. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 47 wherein said interconnection is a pair of spaced wall provided with fastener members.
 50. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 49 wherein at least one of said fastener members is a nut and bolt.
 51. An adjustable storage rack as claimed in claim 29 wherein said clamp assemblies are constructed of an arcuate structure having two end portions which are biased away from each other.
 52. An adjustable storage rack comprising a stand, a base member mounted to said stand and a plurality of parallel rails mounted to said base member, a plurality of selectively moveable clamp assemblies mounted to said rails, a plurality of wire members mounted to said clamp assemblies, a plurality of wire members being provided with height adjustment means with at least one of said plurality of wire members including an offset “U” shaped wire portion, said height adjustment means comprising a threaded post and a sleeve with a rotatable nut threadedly mounted on said threaded post. 